Trade volume on the overall market was a moderate $30 million. Of active shares, 83 rose, 29 fell and 18 were unchanged.

On the debt market, investors pocketed profits from recent gains as locally traded government bonds shed 0.4 percent on average in over-the-counter trade, led by a 2.6 percent fall in the peso-denominated Par bond ARPARP=RASL.

The peso currency, which is heavily controlled by the Central Bank, weakened 0.16 percent to 3.11/3.1125 per dollar ARS=RASL in formal interbank trade. In informal trade between foreign exchange houses, as measured by Reuters, the peso gained 0.16 percent to 3.155/3.1575 per dollar ARSB=.

The peso has shed 2.78 percent so far this month in informal trade. (Reporting by Jorge Otaola; Writing by Kevin Gray; Editing by Diane Craft)